By Jimmy Hyams
After two games, many Tennessee fans don’t think the Vols are good enough to beat Florida.
In most years, I would tend to agree.
But not this year.
It’s not that I think Tennessee has been a world beater. The Vols certainly weren’t overly impressive in beating FCS Indiana State 42-7. I’m just not sure how good Florida is.
Of course, I’m not sure how good Tennessee is, either.
There are things about Tennessee’s team I don’t like, starting with the defense.
When you see Jacksonville State, an FCS team, hold Georgia Tech to 210 rushing yards Saturday night after UT allowed the Yellow Jackets 535, that is a major concern.
Tech quarterback TaQuon Marshall, who had 44 carries for 249 yards and five touchdowns against Tennessee, had 13 runs for 25 yards against Jacksonville and fullback KiVonte Benson (26 for 124 against UT) was limited to 26 yards on 11 carries by the Gamecocks.
I didn’t like UT’s scheme against Georgia Tech. Tech’s lack of production against Jacksonville State is more proof.
Tennessee’s defense was vulnerable to the jet sweep against FCS Indiana State on Saturday. However, UT did hold the Sycamores to 215 total yards and 0-for-11 on third down, which is a huge positive.
Other positives for Tennessee:
* Receiver Brandon Johnson was moved to the slot Tuesday and responded with four catches for 50 yards.
* Running back John Kelly ran for 80 yards and had another 60 on receptions.
* Ty Chandler returned the opening kickoff 91 yards.
* Marquez Callaway caught a 37-yard touchdown pass, his third score in five receptions.
* Punter Trevor Daniel averaged 47.8 yards on four punts and Aaron Medley continues to boom kickoffs into the end zone.
* Reserve running back Carlin Files-Aime scored two touchdowns, showing a burst of speed.
The negatives:
* Tennessee’s offensive line didn’t block consistently well. The Vols have nine runs of 2 or fewer yards and six were negative plays.
* UT had too many penalties on special teams returns.
* Quarterback Quinten Dormady, who got off to a fast start by hitting 10 of his first 12 passes, threw an end-zone interceptions and lost a fumble on a sack.
All in all, Tennessee’s victory was about what I expected – a lackluster win over an outmanned opponent five days after a grueling double overtime win against Georgia Tech.
So is UT ready to beat Florida for the first time in Gainesville since 2003?
“We’ve got to go out and execute,’’ Dormady said. “If we do that we can put ourself in position to win in the end.’’
Center Jashon Robertson wasn’t ready to talk much about Florida, but he did say: “Everybody has high expectations going into the game.’’
Defensive tackle Kendal Vickers was asked if he’s ready for the Gators.
“We’ll be ready,’’ Vickers said. “We don’t like them and they don’t like us. Florida will give us their best shot. We’ll give Florida our best shot.’’
UT led Florida by two touchdowns in The Swamp two years ago only to fall to Florida on a Gators comeback.
“As a competitor, you’ll never forget that,’’ said UT linebacker Cortez McDowell. “We had an awful feeling after the game. It will bring extra fire to practice this week.’’
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